Ex-Purplebricks chief becomes MD of new ‘national a...

A former Purplebricks chief has become managing director of an agency aiming to be a national brand.

Jim Harris - a former training chief and head of territory development at Purplebricks - has today been named as managing director of Newman Property Experts, which says it has plans to become a national brand and grow to 250 self-employed agents across the UK.

In addition he has become managing director of Newman’s 16 Fine & Country agency offices across the Midlands.

Harris comes to the new role with some 30 years experience in corporate and independent estate agency and financial services.

He says: “The estate agency world is changing and I believe agents want to be part of a forward-thinking company where they can learn, develop, have the best technology and infrastructure to help them achieve high earnings, a good work life balance, whilst delivering the results, service and accessibility clients want.”

A statement announcing the new role describes Harris’ Purplebricks work as being “instrumental in their rapid growth, heading up the training in the UK and Australia.”

Harris continues: "The opportunity to work in a founder-led disruptor business has been amazing, now I am able to bring the same energy and vision to work with Sean, grow a great business and give agents the opportunity they really want. Our goal is to provide the best self-employed proposition, to attract and develop the best agents in the UK.”

Newman himself adds: “This is fantastic news for our agents, our clients and our business. We are looking to improve the financial package we can offer agents and provide them with more support to grow their business. Our ultimate aim is to raise the standards in estate agency, by attracting great agents, giving them all the help and support they need to be successful, earn a high income and achieve their goals.”

Details of Newman’s proposed national brand have yet to emerge.

Until now Rugby-based Newman Property Experts has concentrated on the Midlands; Newman himself is a strong advocate of the ‘associate’ model of estate agent, working with the support of a centralised hub.

He was recently a key contributor to this round-table on the subject of self-employed agents, lead by industry consultant Chris Watkin.